First trial at train station for dogs that can smell Covid-19 in humans

The dogs which are being trained to sniff out coronavirus have had their first experience of a busy train station as they prepare to do it for real as soon as early 2021.

ITV reports that the dogs and their handlers from the charity Medical Detection Dogs spent the morning training at London’s Paddington Station before showing the Duchess of Cornwall and the health secretary what they can do.

ITV reports that the dogs and their handlers from the charity Medical Detection Dogs spent the morning training at London’s Paddington Station before showing the Duchess of Cornwall and the health secretary what they can do.

Camilla, who is Patron of the dogs’ charity, told us she was hopeful that the government would take notice of the dogs’ progress.

“How could you not be impressed by them,” she said after watching the demonstration with the Secretary of State.

The dogs have learned how to detect the virus in laboratory conditions but this was the first time they’ve been taken to a location where they might soon be detecting Covid-19 in a train-load, or a plane-load, of passengers.

Covid – like many diseases – has an odour.

The Medical Detection Dogs also trains dogs to detect cancer, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.

This scientific trial, with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is advancing well but they only have half the number of positive samples they need.

Professor James Logan from LSHTM urged anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus to contact them to get a sample pack which the dogs will then sniff.

The pack contains a mask, a t-shirt and socks which anyone with a recent positive test is asked to wear for a few hours before sending them back.

The pack contains a mask, a t-shirt and socks which anyone with a recent positive test is asked to wear for a few hours before sending them back.

Claire Guest, the co-founder of Medical Detection Dogs, said today the animals could be a “gamechanger” for passengers travelling under Covid conditions and today was a “fantastic opportunity to demonstrate to the Secretary of State how quickly these dogs can work”.

Anyone with a positive coronavirus test and wants to help the trial
can contact the team at www.virusdogs.com

(Story source: ITV)